The Lord will come

“The Lord is coming soon“, this is the message we preach and we confirm through the Scriptures that one day our King and Lord will return for His holy church, and this time He will not do it as a meek lamb, but comes as the lion of the tribe of Judah, everybody will have to surrender before His majesty, everybody will have to keep reverence before the one who is sitting on the throne … Christ really comes soon.

The Blessed Hope of Christ’s Return

Throughout history, believers have embraced this promise with hope and conviction. The early church lived with a deep expectation of Christ’s return, and this same hope continues to sustain the people of God today. Although many generations have come and gone, the message remains unchanged: His return is certain. The Scriptures remind us again and again that God’s timetable is different from ours, and that His promises never fail even when human understanding fails to grasp His eternal plan.

The hope of Christ’s return is not a minor doctrine or a secondary theme in the Christian faith. It is one of the great promises that strengthens believers in the middle of suffering, persecution, uncertainty, and trials. For the church, this hope is not mere religious language or emotional comfort; it is a sure reality grounded in the faithfulness of God. The same Christ who came once in humility, who gave Himself for sinners, and who rose in victory, will come again in glory and power.

This truth gives courage to the weary heart. In a world marked by injustice, confusion, rebellion, and pain, the promise that Christ will return reminds us that history is not out of control. The nations may rage, evil may appear strong for a season, and many may mock the faith, but the final word belongs to God. Jesus Christ will return, and when He does, His authority will be visible to all creation.

The expectation of His return also purifies the church. When believers remember that the Lord is coming, they are moved to live with greater seriousness, greater devotion, and greater love for holiness. This promise is not designed to satisfy mere curiosity about the future, but to transform the way we live in the present. A church that remembers the return of Christ is a church that learns to endure, to pray, to watch, and to remain faithful.

For this reason, the message that the Lord is coming soon continues to be proclaimed. It is not an outdated message, nor is it an exaggeration born of emotion. It is a biblical declaration, confirmed by the apostles, affirmed by the prophets, and treasured by the saints across the centuries. The Lord is coming, and the church must hold firmly to that blessed hope.

The apostle Peter said:

8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

2 Peter 3:8-10

God’s Timing Is Not Like Ours

The first thing is that despite the fact that the world judges us because we say that Christ is coming soon and years and years have passed and still does not come, this should not be a reason for discouragement for us, since God is clear in His Word, and He has never really given us a date and His soon coming is still true, because, in these verses, Peter says: “With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like a day.” That is, for God there is no time like for us, He is infinite, He has no beginning or end.

This statement from Peter is deeply important because it corrects our human tendency to judge God’s actions according to our limited sense of time. We measure delay according to calendars, years, and generations, but God stands above all these things. He is eternal, sovereign, and unbound by the passing of hours and centuries. What seems long to us is not long to Him, and what appears delayed in our eyes is not neglect on His part.

Many people stumble over this point because they expect God to act according to human expectations. They ask, “If Christ is coming soon, why has He not yet come?” But such a question often arises from forgetting who God is. He is not controlled by the impatience of men. He does not respond to the mockery of the unbelieving world. He acts according to His perfect wisdom, His holy purposes, and His eternal decree. His promise remains sure even when the fulfillment seems delayed to us.

This should humble us and strengthen our faith. It humbles us because it reminds us that we are creatures, not the Creator. We do not see the whole picture, nor do we understand all the purposes of God. It strengthens our faith because it teaches us that the Lord has not forgotten His Word. He is not careless, and He is not inactive. He is governing all things perfectly and moving history toward the day He has appointed.

The Patience and Mercy of God

Peter’s explanation helps us understand that God’s apparent delay is not a sign of forgetfulness or weakness. On the contrary, it is a demonstration of His mercy, giving humanity more opportunities to repent and turn to Him. Every new day is a reminder of God’s patience and His profound desire for people to be saved. Instead of doubting His promise, believers are called to recognize His grace at work in the world.

This patience of God is one of the most astonishing displays of His character. The world continues in rebellion, yet He continues to call sinners to repentance. People ignore Him, mock Him, resist His truth, and chase after their own desires, and still He allows time for the message of salvation to go forth. This does not mean that judgment will never come, but it does show that God is compassionate and patient beyond human understanding.

Every sunrise, every preached sermon, every call to repentance, and every opportunity to hear the gospel is evidence that God is still showing mercy. This should move us to gratitude rather than unbelief. The delay is not emptiness; it is patience. It is the patience of a God who takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but who calls people everywhere to repent and to believe in His Son.

For the believer, this truth should produce both worship and urgency. Worship, because we see the tenderness of God’s heart. Urgency, because this season of mercy will not last forever. The door of grace is open now, but the day is coming when Christ will return and the opportunity for repentance will end. Therefore, we must not treat lightly the patience of God. It is a gift, and it is meant to lead sinners to salvation.

The Certainty of the Day of the Lord

The certain thing is that the day of the Lord will come like thief in the night, a day that you and I do not know the date, so we must be waiting for that day of the Lord ready and trusting.

This description emphasizes the suddenness and unexpected nature of Christ’s return. A thief does not announce his arrival beforehand, and in the same way the day of the Lord will come upon the world unexpectedly. People will continue with their routines, their plans, their pleasures, and their indifference, and then suddenly the Lord will appear. The certainty of that day is absolute, even though the exact moment remains hidden from us.

The fact that we do not know the hour is not meant to frustrate us, but to keep us watchful. If the day were known, many would wait until the last moment to think seriously about God. But because the time is unknown, every generation is called to live in readiness. This unknown hour exposes the foolishness of delay and the wisdom of immediate obedience.

When Scripture says the heavens will pass away with a great noise and the elements will melt with fervent heat, it is revealing the seriousness of that day. The return of Christ is not a symbolic event or a minor spiritual shift. It will be a cosmic display of divine authority. Everything that seems stable now will be shaken. All human glory, pride, and rebellion will be brought low before the presence of the holy Judge.

Therefore, the church must not speak of Christ’s return casually. It is a glorious doctrine, but also a sobering one. It reminds us that the present world, in its fallen condition, will not continue forever. History is moving toward judgment, renewal, and the full revelation of the kingdom of God.

A Call to Spiritual Readiness

Since we do not know the hour, the proper response for every Christian is to live in a state of spiritual readiness. This does not mean fear, but rather a life marked by holiness, devotion, and commitment to the gospel. Jesus Himself taught that the wise are those who remain alert, who keep their lamps burning, and who walk faithfully even when the world grows cold.

To be ready for Christ’s return means more than having a general belief in His second coming. It means living under His lordship daily. It means turning away from sin, cultivating obedience, loving the truth, and persevering in faith. Spiritual readiness is not panic; it is faithful discipleship. It is the steady life of a believer who knows that his Master may come at any time.

This readiness also includes vigilance over the heart. The cares of life, the distractions of the world, and the deceitfulness of sin can dull spiritual sensitivity. That is why Christians are repeatedly called to watch, pray, and remain steadfast. A sleepy church is vulnerable, but a watchful church is strengthened in hope and grounded in truth.

Holiness is one of the clearest signs of this readiness. The expectation of Christ’s return should lead us to ask serious questions about how we are living. Are we walking in repentance? Are we honoring God in our private lives? Are we serving Him with sincerity? The doctrine of the Lord’s return is not merely prophetic; it is deeply practical. It calls us to a life that is set apart for God.

Living with Eternal Perspective

When believers truly grasp the reality of Christ’s return, they begin to live with an eternal perspective. The things of this world no longer hold the same power over the heart. Earthly success, human recognition, and temporary pleasures lose their ultimate importance when compared with the coming glory of Christ. The return of the Lord reorders our priorities.

This does not mean that believers withdraw from the world in irresponsibility. Rather, they live in the world with wisdom, knowing that everything must be viewed in light of eternity. Work, family, service, suffering, and ministry all take on greater meaning when seen through the promise that Christ will return. We labor, endure, and remain faithful because we know that our Lord is coming.

An eternal perspective also brings comfort in suffering. Many believers throughout history have faced persecution, loss, rejection, and hardship. What sustained them was the certainty that this present age is temporary. Christ will return, justice will be established, and every wrong will be answered by the righteous King. The suffering of the present is real, but it is not final.

Proclaiming the Message with Love and Truth

In addition to expecting His return, we are also called to proclaim this message with love and truth. Many people today live distracted by the things of this world and ignore the reality of eternity. Our task is to announce hope, warn with compassion, and encourage others to seek the Lord while there is still time. His promise is not only a future event; it is a present motivation to live with purpose and integrity.

The message that the Lord is coming is both comforting and urgent. It comforts the church because it points to final redemption, final restoration, and the visible reign of Christ. It is urgent for the unbelieving world because it announces that time is not endless and that every person must one day stand before God. Therefore, this message must be proclaimed clearly, faithfully, and lovingly.

To preach Christ’s return with love means we do not use it merely to frighten people emotionally, but to call them sincerely to repentance and faith. To preach it with truth means we do not soften the reality of judgment, nor do we distort Scripture for the sake of convenience. True love speaks the truth, and true faithfulness does not remain silent.

The church must recover this note of urgency. Many are comfortable speaking of blessing, purpose, and peace, but far fewer speak regularly about the coming of the Lord. Yet the apostles did not hesitate to do so. They called believers to watchfulness and called sinners to repentance because they knew that the day of the Lord will surely come.

Christ Will Return in Glory and Majesty

When Christ came the first time, He came in humility. He took on flesh, entered a fallen world, and walked the path of suffering. He was despised and rejected, yet He fulfilled the Father’s will perfectly and gave Himself as a sacrifice for sinners. But His second coming will not be in weakness or humiliation. He will come in glory, in majesty, and in power.

This is why the image of the lion of the tribe of Judah is so powerful. It reminds us that the returning Christ is the conquering King. He is not merely coming to invite; He is coming to reign openly. Every knee will bow, every tongue will confess, and every rival authority will be silenced before Him. The meek Lamb who was slain is also the victorious Lord who reigns forever.

For the unbelieving world, this will be a terrifying revelation, because all false security will vanish in His presence. For the church, however, it will be a day of joy and vindication. The One whom we have loved by faith will be seen by sight. The Savior we have trusted in the midst of a broken world will appear in triumph.

The Joy of the Church at His Coming

Finally, the return of Christ should fill our hearts with joy. For His church, that day will not be one of fear but of fulfillment. It will be the moment when every tear is wiped away, when righteousness prevails, and when our Savior reigns forever. Let us, then, hold firmly to this blessed hope, knowing that the One who promised is faithful and that His coming is nearer today than ever before.

What the church longs for is not merely an event, but a Person. We are waiting for Christ Himself. We are waiting for the full display of His glory, the end of sin’s presence, the defeat of all evil, and the everlasting joy of being with Him. Every burden borne in faith, every prayer offered in weakness, every tear shed in obedience will find its answer in that day.

This joy does not remove the seriousness of the message, but it completes it. The return of Christ is not only about judgment; it is also about redemption consummated. The church will see her Lord. The kingdom will be openly established. The faithful will rejoice in the presence of the King forever.

Holding Firmly to the Promise

Let us therefore continue to believe, to watch, and to persevere. Let us not be shaken by mockers, discouraged by delay, or distracted by the passing things of this world. The Lord is coming soon, and His promise stands firm. He is faithful, and what He has spoken He will surely bring to pass.

May this truth awaken reverence in our hearts, holiness in our walk, urgency in our witness, and joy in our hope. Let us live as those who belong to another kingdom, as those who are waiting for their King, and as those who know that the history of this world is moving toward the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ.

Until that day, may we remain steadfast in the faith, rich in love, constant in prayer, and faithful in proclaiming the gospel. And may the cry of the church continue to rise with confidence and expectation: Even so, come, Lord Jesus.